Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Featherweight

1. Jose Aldo (19-1)
The violent Brazilian dynamo did not deliver one of his trademark knockouts, but he did survive a late scare from Mark Hominick to win the UFC’s first featherweight title fight on April 30. Returning from a seven-month shelving brought on by a back injury, Aldo bobbed and weaved, dodging his challenger’s strikes for the better part of four rounds before tiring and being punished on the floor in the fifth. Nonetheless, the champion took a unanimous decision on the judges’ cards and ran his win streak to 12 straight.

2. Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2)
The “Son of Shooto” started his year inside the ring which birthed him, submitting King of the Cage bantamweight champ Donald Sanchez via second-round triangle choke at Shooto Tradition 2011 on April 29. What comes next for the current Shooto 143-pound world champion and Sengoku featherweight titlist remains to be seen, though the 27-year-old has recently hinted at a stateside turn.

3. Chad Mendes (10-0)
Mendes showcased his aggressive and well-rounded style in the biggest fight of his young career, as he pummeled a tough Michihiro Omigawa over three rounds at UFC 126. With the win, the unbeaten Mendes has himself on the cusp of a UFC featherweight title shot.

4. Manny Gamburyan (11-5)
A back injury took Gamburyan out of his scheduled March encounter with Raphael Assuncao, but the former WEC featherweight title challenger did not have to wait long for a new assignment. The “Pitbull” is now scheduled to return to the UFC on June 26, when he will welcome ex-lightweight Tyson Griffin to the overflowing 145-pound ranks.

5. Michihiro Omigawa (12-9-1)
Omigawa’s return to the Octagon was not a pleasant one, as the Yoshida Dojo product was beaten up on the feet and on the floor by hot prospect Chad Mendes at UFC 126. With the loss, Omigawa is 8-2-1 as a featherweight but 0-3 inside the confines of the UFC. The 35-year-old judoka will return against fellow former lightweight Darren Elkins at UFC 131 on June 11.

6. Marlon Sandro (17-2)
Sandro’s fearsome punching power was no match for the rangier, slicker and more technical Hatsu Hioki, who took apart the Brazilian over five rounds to capture the Sengoku featherweight title on Dec. 30. Following the loss, the Nova Uniao black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu was granted his release from the promotion and signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator Fighting Championships. Sandro will not compete in Bellator’s upcoming Season 4 featherweight tourney, but he is expected to make his debut for the company in the coming months.

7. Diego Nunes (16-1)
Since hooking up with top Brazilian team Nova Uniao, “The Gun” has showed marked improvement with each appearance. At UFC 125 on Jan. 1, Nunes took his game to another level, outstriking former featherweight ruler Mike Thomas Brown en route to a split decision win. For his next challenge, Nunes will welcome former lightweight title contender Kenny Florian to the 145-pound division on June 11.

8. Joe Warren (7-1)
It would not be a Warren fight without a comeback and some controversy. After appearing to fall behind in his 137-pound catchweight bout with Marcos Galvao on April 16, Bellator’s featherweight champion stormed back in the third round and took home a unanimous decision win. It was the first step in what looks to be an extremely busy year for Warren, who will defend his 145-pound strap against either Patricio Freire or Daniel Straus before entering the promotion’s next 135-pound tournament.

9. Dustin Poirier (9-1)
Prior to UFC 125, few fans knew Poirier’s name. However, after a crushing display of offense against the heavily favored and well-regarded Josh Grispi, it is fair to say that the 21-year-old “Diamond” has emerged as another young stud in the 145-pound division. The Tim Credeur-trained fighter will take a further step up in competition when he meets Brazilian grappling whiz Rani Yahya at UFC 131 on June 11.

10. Josh Grispi (14-2)
Jose Aldo withdrew from their Jan. 1 bout with a neck injury. Instead, “The Fluke” made his UFC debut against Dustin Poirier, who shocked the Massachusetts native in a dominant unanimous decision, halting Grispi’s 10-fight win streak. Grispi will get back on the horse this summer, as he meets George Roop at “The Ultimate Fighter 13” Finale on June 4.

Other contenders: Patricio Freire, Mark Hominick, Erik Koch, Kazuyuki Miyata, Rani Yahya.

Continue Reading » MMA Bantamweight Rankings